Blade clamp for reciprocating saw

ABSTRACT

A jigsaw drive shaft is connected to a blade by the blade clamp of the present invention. The blade clamp comprises a clamp body mounted securely to the drive shaft by a bracket. The clamp body has a hollow portion formed to receive an upper portion the jigsaw blade. The clamp body also includes a hollow tubular extension. A cam body is pivotable about an axis through a cylindrical bore such that cam surfaces move in and out of contact with an interior surface of the clamp body to engage or release the blade. A spring biases the cam body into engagement with the clamp body surface. The user must press on a protrusion of the cam body to pivot the cam surfaces way from the clamp surface and against the force of the spring.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clamp assembly for a working member of a reciprocating tool and relates particularly, but not exclusively, to a clamp assembly for the blade of a reciprocating jigsaw.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Jigsaws are power tools which comprise a reciprocating saw blade for cutting a work piece of wood or other material. Most jigsaws comprise a plastic housing containing an electric motor. The rotary output of the motor is geared to a drive conversion mechanism which converts rotary motion of the motor output into reciprocating motion of an output shaft to cause reciprocating motion of a saw blade.

Jigsaws are usually designed to enable the blade to be removed from the output shaft. This serves two purposes. Firstly, due to the high frictional forces encountered when in use, jigsaw blades are subject to wear and tear and have limited lifetimes, so that there is a necessity to enable the blade to be easily replaced. Secondly, several different types of blade may be supplied with the jigsaw to enable it to be used to cut a variety of different types of workpiece, or cut the workpiece in a variety of ways.

European Patent Application EP0792713 describes a jigsaw blade clamp which comprises a channel formed in a jigsaw output shaft shaped to accommodate a jigsaw blade and a pin that is urged into contact with the blade by a spring, such that the pin forces the blade into the channel thereby holding it in place. This prior art clamp suffers from the drawback that if sufficient force is applied to the blade, it can still slip out of place and even be pulled away from the jigsaw.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome the above disadvantage of the prior art.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clamp assembly for removably mounting a working member of a reciprocating tool to a reciprocating output shaft, the assembly comprising:—

-   -   a body member adapted to be mounted to said output shaft;     -   at least one engaging member having at least one first engaging         portion adapted to be located at least partially in front of a         respective second engaging portion on said working member in the         direction of reciprocation of the working member, wherein said         engaging member is pivotable in use relative to said body member         between a first position, in which said first engaging portion         engages said second engaging portion to retain the working         member in position on the output shaft, and a second position in         which the working member is removable from the output shaft; and     -   first biasing means for urging said engaging member towards said         first position;     -   wherein application of a force to said working member tending to         remove the working member from the body member when at least one         said engaging member is in a first position thereof causes         movement of at least one said second engaging portion to be         prevented by the corresponding said first engaging portion.

By providing a clamp assembly in which at least one first engaging portion of an engaging member is adapted to be located partially front of a respective second engaging portion on the working member (in the direction of reciprocation of the working member), this provides the advantage that the working member can be more effectively held in position on the tool than a clamp assembly using friction alone.

The assembly may comprise a plurality of said first engaging portions, wherein at least one said first engaging portion is capable of limited pivotal movement relative to at least one other said first engaging portion.

This provides the advantage of minimising the risk that only one side of an engaging member correctly holds the working member in position, for example as a result of manufacturing tolerances.

In a preferred embodiment, the assembly comprises a plurality of said engaging members, wherein at least one said engaging member is capable of limited pivotal movement relative to at least one other said engaging member about a common axis.

The assembly may comprise at least one first said engaging member having a respective protrusion, and at least one corresponding second said engaging member having a respective recess for receiving at least one respective said protrusion, wherein at least one said recess permits limited pivotal movement of the corresponding said protrusion therein such that the corresponding said first engaging member is pivotable about said common axis.

This provides the advantage that manufacturing tolerances can be accommodated by enabling a plurality of the engaging members to be pivotable about a common axis relative to each other, while enabling pivoting of a single engaging member by a user to cause pivoting of more than one engaging member.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one said engaging member further comprises at least one elongate protrusion adapted to enable the user to pivot said engaging means towards said second position.

This provides the advantage that it is made easier for the user to release the blade from the clamp by minimising the force which the user needs to apply to the engaging member because of leverage obtained by the elongate protrusion.

At least one said elongate protrusion may be formed on a corresponding said first engaging member.

Said first biasing means may comprise at least one torsional spring adapted to engage at least one said elongate protrusion and said body member.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one said first engaging portion comprises at least one respective cam surface for engaging the working member wherein application of a force to said working member so as to remove the working member from the output shaft urges at least one said cam surface further into engagement with said working member.

This provides the advantage that if the working member is pulled outwardly of the tool, the grip provided by the clamp on the working member is tightened.

The or each said engaging member may be adapted to be displaced from the first position thereof by movement of the working member towards the output shaft to enable mounting of the working member to the assembly by such movement thereof.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a reciprocating tool comprising:—

-   -   a body;     -   a motor having a rotary shaft;     -   drive means for converting rotary movement of said rotary shaft         to reciprocating movement of an output shaft; and     -   a clamp assembly as defined above.

In a preferred embodiment, the tool comprises a jigsaw.

The tool may further comprise at least one working member having at least one second engaging portion for engaging at least one corresponding said first engaging portion.

At least one said second engaging portion may comprise at least one respective slot.

In a preferred embodiment, said working member is a saw blade and at least one said second engaging portion is provided in an edge of the blade.

The tool may further comprise second biasing means for urging said working member out of engagement with said output shaft.

This provides the advantage of facilitating removal of the working member from the tool, as well as providing an indication whether the working member is correctly mounted to the tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:—

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view of a jigsaw;

FIG. 2 a is a front and side perspective view of a jigsaw drive shaft and blade clamp of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 b is a rear and side perspective view of the jigsaw blade clamp and drive shaft of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 2 c is a front perspective view of the jigsaw drive shaft and blade clamp of FIG. 2 a;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a blade to be used with the blade clamp of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 a is a sideways perspective view of a body of the blade clamp of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 b is a front view of the blade clamp body of FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 4 c is a side view of the blade clamp body of FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 4 d is a rear view of the blade clamp body of FIG. 4 a;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a cam body of the blade clamp of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a side cross sectional view of the blade of FIG. 3 mounted to the blade clamp body of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a front view of the blade and blade clamp of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of the upper part of the blade of FIG. 3 received in the blade clamp of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 a is a side perspective view of a first part of a cam body of a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 b is a side view of the cam body of FIG. 9 a;

FIG. 9 c is a bottom view of the cam body of FIG. 9 a;

FIG. 9 d is a front view of the cam body of FIG. 9 a;

FIG. 10 a is a side perspective view of a second part of the cam body of the embodiment of FIG. 9;

FIG. 10 b is a side view of the cam body of FIG. 10 a;

FIG. 10 c is a bottom view of the cam body of FIG. 10 a;

FIG. 10 d is a front view of the cam body of FIG. 10 a;

FIG. 11 is a partially cut away side perspective view of the first cam part of FIG. 9 and the second cam part of FIG. 10 mounted in the clamp body of FIG. 4;

FIG. 12 a is a side view of a first spring for use with the embodiment of FIGS. 9 to 11;

FIG. 12 b is a front view of the spring of FIG. 12 a;

FIG. 13 a is a side view of a second spring for use with the embodiment of the FIGS. 9 to 11;

FIG. 13 b is a front view of the spring of FIG. 13 a; and

FIG. 14 is a side view of a cam body pin of the embodiment of FIGS. 9 to 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a jigsaw shown generally by 1 has a housing 2 of durable plastics material, with a motor (not shown) disposed therein. The motor has a rotary output shaft (not shown) geared to a drive mechanism which converts the rotary output of the motor into vertical reciprocating motion of a drive shaft (not shown). The housing 2 is mounted on a shoe 4 which rests on a workpiece and provides a reaction force for the blade 3 during upward movement thereof. The blade 3 is attached to the drive shaft (not shown) by a blade clamp 5.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a blade to be used with the present invention will now be described. The blade shown generally by 3 has a cutting portion 8 of length defined by 6 and width defined by W. As will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, one edge of the blade is provided with cutting teeth (not shown). At the upper end of the cutting portion 8 the width of the blade is reduced at a portion of the blade defined by 7, to form two indents 9. Above the indents 9 is a portion of the upper part of the blade as shown by 10 which has width less than W.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 a to 2 c, the jigsaw drive shaft 11 is connected to the blade 3 by a jigsaw blade clamp 5 embodying the present invention. Referring also to FIGS. 4 a to 4 d, the jigsaw blade clamp comprises a blade clamp body 12 which is mounted securely to the drive shaft 11 by means of a bracket 13. The blade clamp body 12 has a hollow interior 14 formed to receive the upper portion 7 of the jigsaw blade (FIG. 3). This is shown best in FIG. 6, in which the upper part of the blade 3 is received fully in the hollow portion 14. The blade clamp body 12 also includes a hollow tubular extension 15.

Referring to FIG. 5, a cam body 16 for cooperating with the clamp body 12 is shown. The cam body 16 comprises two cam surfaces 17 and an elongate protrusion 18. An indentation 19 is formed on the protrusion 18, the purpose of which will be described in greater detail below. The cam body 16 also comprises a cylindrical bore 20. The cam body 16 is formed such that it can be inserted into the hollow portion 14 of the clamp body 12. This is shown best in FIGS. 2 a and 2 c. When the cam body 16 is fully received in the clamp body 12 the cylindrical bore 20 of the cam body 16 is aligned with the hollow tubular extension 15 of the clamp body 12. A pin (not shown) is inserted such that it passes through the hollow tubular extension 15, and through the cylindrical bore 20, to enable the cam body 16 to be pivoted relative to the clamp body 12. A torsional spring 21 is mounted co axially on tubular extension 15. A first end 22 of the torsional spring 21 is securely received in a slot 23 formed in the clamp body 12. A second end 24 of the spring 21 rests in the indentation 19 formed in the protrusion 18 of the cam body 16.

The operation of the jigsaw blade clamp will now be described.

Referring to FIG. 7, the cam body 16 is able to pivot about an axis through the cylindrical bore 20 such that the cam surfaces 17 move in and out of contact with the rear surface of the hollow portion 14 of the clamp body 12. By virtue of the resilient action of spring 21, the cam body 16 is urged into the clamp body 12. In order to pivot the cam surfaces 17 away from the clamp body 12, the user must press on protrusion 18 in the direction of the blade such that the cam body 16 is pivoted out of clamp body 12 against the action of spring 21.

When a blade is mounted in the hollow portion of the clamp body 12, as shown in FIG. 6, the cam surfaces 17 engage indents 9 of blade 3. The blade 3 is prevented from slipping out of the clamp body 12 as the cam surfaces 17 are received in indents 9 and therefore are in contact with the protrusions 10 of the blade 3. If the blade 3 is pulled in a downward direction, the force exerted on cam surfaces 17 by projections 10 causes the cam surfaces 17 to be pivoted into further engagement with the blade 3, thereby tightening the grip of the blade clamp 5 on the blade 3.

In order to effect the release of the blade 3 from the blade clamp 5, the cam body 16 is pivoted out of clamp body 12 by pressing on protrusion 18, such that the cam surfaces 17 move out of engagement with indentations 9 of the blade 3. Referring to FIG. 8, which shows the top of blade 3 engaged in the clamp body 12, a leaf spring 25 contacts the top edge of the blade 3, such that when the clamp 5 is opened the compressed leaf spring 25 extends, thus pushing the blade 3 out of engagement with clamp body 12. This not only facilitates removal of the blade from the clamp 5, but also ensures the blade 3 is correctly engaged with clamp 5 until the protrusion 18 is pressed.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 to 14, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown with parts common to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8 denoted by like reference numerals but increased by 100.

Referring to FIGS. 9 a to 9 d, the cam body of this embodiment is formed from two separate parts. A first cam body part 130 is formed from durable plastics material. The first cam body part 130 comprises a first cam surface 134 for engaging a blade indent 9 of the blade 3 in the same way as the cam surfaces 17 engage the blade of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 8. An elongate protrusion 118 extends from the first cam body part 130 and is provided to enable a user to easily pivot the cam body part 130. The first cam body part 130 has a first cylindrical bore 138 for receiving a pin (not shown) to enable the cam body part 130 to be pivoted about an axis through the bore 138. A ridge 142 is formed around the circumference of cylindrical bore 138, the purpose of which will be described below. A peg 146 is also formed integrally with the first cam body part 130, the purpose of which will also be described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 a to 10 d, the second cam body part 132 comprises a second cam surface 136 for engagement with an indent 9 of blade 3. A second cylindrical bore 140 is formed with a circular recess 144 adapted to receive ridge 142 of the first cam body part 130, such that when the first and second cam body parts 130, 132 are mounted to each other, the first and second cylindrical bores 138, 140 form a continuous single cylindrical bore with a common axis. The second cam body part 132 is also provided with an aperture 148 in which peg 146 is received when the first and second cam body parts 130, 132 are attached to one another.

The first and second cam body parts 130, 132 are adapted to be mounted on a pin 150 (FIG. 14) such that the pin 150 passes through first and second cylindrical bores 138, 140 and each cam body part 130, 132 is independently pivotable to a limited extent about the pin 150.

Referring to FIG. 11, the first and second cam body parts 130, 132 are shown mounted in a blade clamp body 112. The blade clamp body 112 is identical to the blade clamp body 12 from the first embodiment of the invention. Coil springs 152, 154 (FIGS. 12 and 13) are mounted on the cylindrical bore portions 138, 140 of the cam body parts 130, 132 respectively such that the coiled portions 156, 158 of the springs are coaxial with the cylindrical bore of the assembly. Each coil spring has a first end 160, 162 which is secured to the respective cam body part 130, 132 and a second end 164, 166 secured to the blade clamp body 112.

The operation of the jigsaw blade clamp of FIGS. 9 to 14 will now be described.

Referring to FIG. 11, in order to release a blade from the blade clamp, the user depresses elongate protrusion 118 to pivot first cam body part 130 about pin 150. This moves the first cam surface 134 out of engagement with the indentation 9 of blade 3. At the same time, peg 146 moves in the aperture 148 of the second cam body part 132 until the first cam body part 130 has moved sufficiently about the axis such that the peg 146 abuts the edge of the aperture 148. Further depression of elongate protrusion 118 then also causes second cam body part 132 to pivot about pin 150, thus moving the second cam surface 136 out of engagement with the other indentation 9 of blade 3. When the elongate protrusion 118 has been fully compressed, the blade is released.

As the peg 146 has a limited amount of travel in aperture 148, each cam body part 130, 132 is independently pivotable to a limited extent about the pin 150. However the user only has to move the first cam body part 130 in order to effect eventual movement of the second cam body part 132. Independent movement of the first and second cam body parts 130, 132 will therefore absorb any manufacturing tolerances in the cam surfaces themselves or the indentations of the blades.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, and various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

1. A clamp assembly for removably mounting a working member of a reciprocating tool to a reciprocating output shaft, the assembly comprising:— a body member adapted to be mounted to said output shaft; at least one engaging member having at least one first engaging portion adapted to be located at least partially in front of a respective second engaging portion on said working member in the direction of reciprocation of the working member, wherein said engaging member is pivotable in use relative to said body member between a first position, in which said first engaging portion engages said second engaging portion to retain the working member in position on the output shaft, and a second position in which the working member is removable from the output shaft; and first biasing means for urging said engaging member towards said first position; wherein application of a force to said working member tending to remove the working member from the body member when at least one said engaging member is in a first position thereof causes movement of at least one said second engaging portion to be prevented by the corresponding said first engaging portion.
 2. An assembly according to claim 1, comprising a plurality of said first engaging portions, wherein at least one said first engaging portion is capable of limited pivotal movement relative to at least one other said first engaging portion.
 3. An assembly according to claim 2, comprising a plurality of said engaging members, wherein at least one said engaging member is capable of limited pivotal movement relative to at least one other said engaging member about a common axis.
 4. An assembly according to claim 3, comprising at least one first said engaging member having a respective protrusion, and at least one corresponding second said engaging member having a respective recess for receiving at least one respective said protrusion, wherein at least one said recess permits limited pivotal movement of the corresponding said protrusion therein such that the corresponding said first engaging member is pivotable about said common axis.
 5. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one said engaging member further comprises at least one elongate protrusion adapted to enable the user to pivot said engaging means towards said second position.
 6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein at least one said elongate protrusion is formed on a corresponding said first engaging member.
 7. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein said first biasing means comprises at least one torsional spring adapted to engage at least one said elongate protrusion and said body member.
 8. An assembly according to clam 1, wherein at least one said first engaging portion comprises at least one respective cam surface for engaging the working member and wherein application of a force to said working member so as to remove the working member from the output shaft urges at least one said cam surface further into engagement with said working member.
 9. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the or each said engaging member is adapted to be displaced from the first position thereof by movement of the working member towards the output shaft to enable mounting of the working member to the assembly by such movement thereof.
 10. A reciprocating tool using a replaceable working member, said tool comprising:— a body; a motor having a rotary shaft; drive means for converting rotary movement of said rotary shaft to reciprocating movement of an output shaft; and a clamp assembly for removably mounting the working member to the output shaft, the assembly comprising a body member adapted to be mounted to said output shaft; at least one engaging member having at least one first engaging portion adapted to be located at least partially in front of a respective second engaging portion on said working member in the direction of reciprocation of the working member, wherein said engaging member is pivotable in use relative to said body member between a first position, in which said first engaging portion engages said second engaging portion to retain the working member in position on the output shaft, and a second position in which the working member is removable from the output shaft; and first biasing means for urging said engaging member towards said first position; wherein application of a force to said working member tending to remove the working member from the body member when at least one said engaging member is in a first position thereof causes movement of at least one said second engaging portion to be prevented by the corresponding said first engaging portion.
 11. A tool according to claim 10, wherein the tool comprises a jigsaw.
 12. A tool according to claim 10, wherein at least one said second engaging portion comprises at least one respective slot.
 13. A tool according to claim 10, wherein said working member is a saw blade and at least one said second engaging portion is provided in an edge of the blade.
 14. A tool according to claim 10, further comprising a second biasing means for urging said working member out of engagement with said output shaft.
 15. A jig saw comprising a: a housing; a motor having a rotary output shaft a reciprocating drive shaft a transmission connected between the rotary output shaft and the reciprocating drive shaft and converting the rotation of the motor output shaft into reciprocating movement of the drive shaft; a removable saw blade including a cutting portion and a shank, the shank including an engaging portion and defining a slot between the engaging portion and the cutting portion; and a blade clamping assembly, the blade clamping assembly including: a body member connected to the drive shaft; a cam body pivotably connected to the body member and including an engaging surface, the cam body pivotable between a first position and a second position. a first spring for biasing the cam body into the first position; and wherein when the cam body is in the first position then the cam body engaging surface extends into the saw blade shank slot to retain the saw blade in the blade clamp assembly, and when in the second position then the cam body engaging surface is retracted from the saw blade shank slot so that the saw blade is removable from the blade clamp assembly.
 16. A jig saw according to claim 15, wherein the cam body engaging surface is a cam shaped surface.
 17. A jig saw according to claim 15, wherein the saw blade shank slot is a first slot and the saw blade shank defines a second slot, and wherein the cam body is a first cam body and the engaging surface is a first engaging surface, and the blade clamping assembly further includes: a second cam body pivotably connected to the body member and coaxial with the first cam body, the second cam body including a second engaging surface, and pivotable between a first position and a second position. a second spring for biasing the second cam body into the first position; and wherein when the first cam body and the second cam body are in the first position then the first engaging surface extends into the saw blade shank's firsts slot and the second engaging surfaces extends into the saw blade shank's second slot to retain the saw blade in the blade clamp assembly, and when in the second position then the first engaging surface is retracted from the first slot and the second engaging surface is retracted from the second slot so that the saw blade is removable from the blade clamp assembly.
 18. A jig saw according to claim 17 wherein the first cam body and second cam body are loosely interconnected so as to permit limited rotational movement between the first cam body and the second cam body as they pivot from the second position to the first position.
 19. A jig saw according to claim 17 wherein the first cam body includes a protruding lever for pivoting the first cam body and the second cam body from the first position to the second position against the biasing forces of the first spring and the second spring, for the purpose of removing the saw blade from the blade clamp assembly.
 20. A jig saw according to claim 15 and further comprising a biasing means for urging the saw blade out of the blade clamp assembly. 